Published 12 July 2011
Apple is scrambling to develop a fix for a software vulnerability that leaves its iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices susceptible to hackers; according to Germany's Federal Office for Information Security, which discovered the critical software vulnerability, hackers can steal confidential data from the devices without the user even suspecting it by exploiting a flaw in the program that allows users to "jail-break" their devices and run non-Apple software
Apple is scrambling to develop a fix for a software vulnerability that leaves its iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices susceptible to hackers.
According to Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security, which discovered the critical software vulnerability, hackers can steal confidential data from the devices without the user even suspecting it. By exploiting a flaw in the program that allows users to “jail-break” their devices and run non-Apple software, hackers have already begun stealing sensitive data much to the alarm of security analysts.
Installing the software to jail-break Apple devices carries security risks, but many users choose to do it anyways so that they have the freedom to install applications or software that have not been pre-approved by Apple.
Charlie Miller, a prominent hacker of Apple products, said that it probably took many months to develop a program that allows users to circumvent Apple’s restrictions, but hackers would only need a few days to tamper with the product for malicious purposes.
A site has already developed a software fix for the program, but downloading it would require users to defy Apple and jailbreak their device.
So far Apple has yet to develop a solution. Bethan Lloyd, a spokeswoman for Apple, said the company is “aware of this reported issue and developing a fix.” There has been no word on when the patch will become available. Read more
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